News

What Labour plans for further education could mean for colleges

The shadow skills minister has refused to rule out bringing colleges back under local authority control, as part of…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

In pursuit of parity: degree apprenticeships expand into the Russell Group

Although seen by some as controversial, degree apprenticeships are central to the government’s plans to put technical education on…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Re-levelling of first aid course boosts level 3 qualifications

An extra 400,000 people taking level three qualifications this year, and a corresponding fall at level two, can be…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted says sorry for carrying out wrong kind of inspection

Ofsted has been left red-faced after carrying out the wrong kind of monitoring visit and incorrectly publishing a report,…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Revealed: DfE damning investigation into 3aaa

Crisis-hit Aspire Achieve Advance was given a £7 million apprenticeships contract increase two years ago despite an investigation that…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

EuroSkills 2018: FE grandees fly out to support Team UK

Two grandees of the FE sector landed in Budapest today to witness “the best of the best” and cheer…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

IfA and Open Awards reach deal on EQA contract extension

The Institute for Apprenticeships has reached a deal with the organisation that delivers external quality assurance on its behalf…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

EuroSkills 2018: Team UK’s flag-bearer Elizabeth ‘confident’ after day one

Last night she was specially selected to be the flag-bearer for Team UK, today Elizabeth Newcombe was focused on…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

FE sector in anxious wait as date announced for Budget 2018

The FE sector is waiting anxiously to hear its fate after the date of the next Budget was announced….

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Scrap the apprentice minimum wage, AELP demands

The apprentice minimum wage should be scrapped, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers has urged. Instead, the association…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofqual survey into perceptions of vocational qualifications: 7 key findings

New research by Ofqual has revealed worryingly low levels of understanding among employers of key elements the government’s apprenticeship reforms . Its…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

College pension contributions likely to rise by over 40% from 2019

Colleges look set to be hit by an increase of more than 40 per cent in the pension contributions…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross

Must read

Apprenticeships, Politics

Phillipson to exempt young people from level 7 apprenticeships funding axe

Education secretary makes ‘important concession’ amid backlash from other government departments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, FE Commissioner

Weston chair felt powerless over £2.5m payments to former principal

Ex-Weston college chair gives tell-all interview following FE Commissioner probe

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

Weston College governance failure allowed ‘concealment’ of £2.5m payments to former principal

Paul Phillips was paid £1.8m in 2023, including a ‘significant’ six-figure retention payment which his COO son ‘resisted’ paying…

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
T Levels

NAO reveals enormity of T Level take-up failure

Forecasts missed by 75% and secret DfE estimates show staff and employer shortages could limit places to 48,000 students

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read